Zimbabwean Church Elder Jailed 13 Years for Rape as UK Police Hunt Fugitive

By Southerton Business Times | Harare

A United Kingdom court has sentenced Zimbabwean national Innocent Majoni, 47, to 13 years in prison after convicting him of three counts of rape and two counts of sexual assault, but authorities are still searching for him after he failed to appear for sentencing. Majoni, a former owner of a care company in Leeds and a church elder at the ZAOGA Forward in Faith Ministries International (ZAOGA FIFMI) Leeds Assembly, was sentenced after a trial found him guilty of sexually abusing a woman while using threats and intimidation to control her.

According to evidence presented in court, Majoni repeatedly threatened to have the victim deported from the UK if she refused to comply with his demands. Prosecutors said the threats created an atmosphere of fear that prevented the victim from reporting the abuse sooner. During sentencing, the victim told the court she continues to fear for her life because Majoni remains at large.

"I am terrified that he will kill me," she said in her victim impact statement, describing the lasting psychological trauma caused by the abuse.

The sentencing judge imposed a 13-year custodial sentence after finding Majoni guilty of three rape charges and two sexual assault offences.

However, Majoni did not attend court for sentencing and is now being sought by police. UK authorities have urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact law enforcement immediately. The case has drawn attention within Zimbabwean communities in the United Kingdom because of Majoni's former leadership role at ZAOGA Leeds Assembly and his previous business interests in the care sector.

Sexual violence experts say threats relating to immigration status are a common tactic used by perpetrators to manipulate and silence vulnerable victims. Victims' support organisations have consistently urged survivors to report abuse regardless of their immigration status, noting that police investigate serious crimes independently of immigration enforcement.

According to the UK's Crown Prosecution Service, coercive behaviour, intimidation and threats can significantly affect a victim's ability to seek help and are treated seriously by the courts. The conviction also highlights the importance of safeguarding within faith-based organisations, where individuals in positions of trust can misuse their authority to exploit vulnerable people.

Police continue to appeal for information that could lead to Majoni's arrest so that he can begin serving his prison sentence. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact their local police force or Crimestoppers anonymously.

Innocent Majoni